Earlier this year in class we watched a movie called Tough Guise. The movie discussed how male action figures have change since the 1970's and the affects action figures have on male body image. The changes were outstanding. The muscles were bigger and the weapons were more violent. I thought that I would analyze how female dolls have changed since the introduction of Barbies and the affects it might have on females. When reading about how dolls have affected women, one in particular stuck out, "Teen Talk Barbie."
In 1959 the Barbie was introduced wearing a long one piece black and white swimming suit. The doll came with blond hair pulled back into a ponytail and blue eyes or with dark black hair and dark eyes. Then in 1961 the Bubble cut barbie was introduced with Barbie sporting short hair coming in red, blond, black and brunette. This was the first introduction of Barbies with red and brunette hair. Barbie remained wearing modest outfits for several years and in 1967 she appeared wearing a two piece bathing suit.(Risky? not really) Only two years beforehand, In 1965, Barbie suited up as an astronaut. Barbie was also a doctor and a surgical nurse in 1976. Despite her afwly thin apperance, Barbie began to represent a beautiful, intelligent, successful women. Hope of having a doll that reflected real women increased as the years went on. In 1980, Barbie introduced the first African America, Latin American, Asian, Italian and European Barbies.
However, by the the late 1980's consumers began questioning Barbies thin appearance and Barbie witnessed a major backlash in 1994 when Teen Talk Barbie hit the market. Barbie a doll being marketed to little girls everywhere giggled three different messages. The messages were:
"I love shopping."
"Math is hard!"
"Will we ever have enough clothes?"
Who knew the one time astronaut and doctor would find math so hard?
Parents very understandably furious. Barbie was many younger girls favourite toy and many people felt that this Barbie was an unfair portrayal of teenage girls. I personally don't feel, "Teen Talk Barbie," is a fair representation of what female teenagers are like at all. Barbie became a discussion point for women and education, as well as the representation of women in the media. The doll was pulled from the shelves. Since then Barbie has been fairly scandal free and on Barbie's 40th Mattel donated $1.5 million to programs that teach women science,math, business and sports.
I am actually very thankful that, "Teen Talk Barbie," hit the market. As terribly as it may have represented teenage girls, especially blonds (in case you haven't noticed, I'm both) I felt that this doll was very beneficial. It allowed a high profile discussion about stereotypes in woman. Perhaps, it may have even made parents think twice about the images and stereotypes that dolls are portraying to small girls.
read more about the history of Barbies.
side note : millions of Mattel toys made in China have been recently called back due to suspected high levels of lead within the toys. to read more about this click here
2 comments:
Very interesting posting. I found it funny how in the 60's barbie was a doctor. I think you said it best with "Who knew the one time astronaut and doctor would find math so hard?"
I am sure Barbie now a days is designed to make young girls go out buy, buy, buy, and buy some more.
thanks for writing that. It helped me on my speech for barbies. It was one of the only ones that didnt want me to buy it or see show but the information on it. :)
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